No Better Time To Be Alive

Local politicians would do well to recognise that improvements in South Africans’ standard of living will require increased investment in innovation, science and technology.

- Johan Fourie

One of my favourite scenes in Love Actually is right at the beginning of the movie. The setting is an airport arrivals terminal. As travellers arrive through the gates, they are welcomed by family and friends, smiling, laughing, hugging and kissing. Whenever I have to pick someone up at the international terminal, I try to arrive early, to witness the joy of family and friend reunions.

Another setting in which you’re guaranteed to be uplifted is graduation ceremonies. I attended one of these at the end of March where hundreds of students received their degrees, with thousands of friends and family watching on. Each applause and ululation tells a story; stories often coupled with hardship, sacrifice and perseverance, but also with hope, faith and, ultimately, success. There are few things than seeing a father or mother, proud and captivated as their child walks across the stage, holding back the tears.

Several of my own economics students graduated too, each with their own stories. Thokozire Gausi graduated with an honour’s degree. She is from Malawi and part of a network of students who self-finance their studies in South Africa, often with very little institutional support.

Master’s degree graduate Omphile Ramela, who grew up in Soweto, wrote his dissertation while playing professional cricket for the Cape Cobras and now the Highveld Lions, while balancing the demands of a young family.